Who should pay the bill??

[Ponty Massive]

Got a call at 7:50 am this morning from a customer we did a rewire for about 6 months ago. Last night, due to the extreme weather, the rain water had penetrated the flashing on the chimney, found its way onto the chimney breast and into the lounge. We had placed a KMF switch next to the meter which was about 2 feet away.

He said the switch had started arcing and making a noise so he had called the DNO, who turned up, removed the main fuse and told him to call an electrician.

He had initially called the builder (who we did the work for) but couldn’t get hold of him!!

By 8:15 I was in the van and travelling to this person’s house (luckily I had a KMF switch on the van). Got to his house about 8:45 and took about 30 mins to get the switch out, changed and tested.

I explained to the customer it was lucky I had the switch on the van with it being Sunday morning and 2 days before Christmas!!

On completion, I assumed he was going to be very happy that I had potentially saved his Christmas, but instead his comments were “You can send the bill to the builder”

Oh well, take all types I suppose. I called the builder (who again would not answer his phone) and left a message asking him to call me. This evening I get his call and explained what had happened. His replay was “we didn’t touch the chimney F-ALL to do with me.”

So my question is…….what would you do?

Ponty

 

[tigerpaul]

Get the payment off the householder. If he wants to chase the builder that's up to him.

 

[chrish_1977]

I would say its between the customer and the builder, the customer should pay you and then get it back from builder. If they didn't touch the chimney it's going to be hard though. But I think you may have to swallow it and go from there

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

The guy called you for your services so he pays, end off, get your bill done tonight and post it xmas eve or Xmas day, let him know your intentions now, also put a date on it for when you want it settled

 

[Guest55]

Send the bill to the homeowner , he called you out , he is responsible for a building that wasnt weather-tight.
the builder has nowt to do with it.

 

[High Tower]

You were instructed by the householder, it is his responsibility to pay the invoice and then claim it back from the builder, if he is at fault

 

[Guest55]

Get the payment off the householder. If he wants to chase the builder that's up to him.

THIS ^^^ and only this ^^^ lol.

 

[john999uk]

Householder called you, you did work to get power back on for him. He had not maintained his chimney or weather had damaged it. If it's weather then he may be able to claim you bill from his insurance company.
To me it's householders bill, if he claims the cost back from insurance or builder then that is up to him.

 

[Sintra]

I would say get payment of householder. Give him the invoice which he could claim back of home insurance.

- - - Updated - - -

I would say get payment of householder. Give him the invoice which he could claim back of home insurance.

 

[sjhall]

I think you have made a mistake leaving empty handed, send invoice stating payment terms, then onto small claims if he doesn't want to play ball.

 

[Stuuk1]

Why did you do the work before talking about payment...?

I think you will have to swallow this one but lesson learnt

 

[Marvo]

I'm also with the majority on this. His warranties with the builder are nothing to do with you and the work you did originally wasn't at fault. Send him the bill and whack him with doubletime labour charge then offer him a 20% Christmas discount if he settles immediately. If he refuses then the extortionate labour cost will go some way toward covering your inconvenience when you drag him through small claims court in January

 

[Guest55]

agree with stuuk1 unfortunately , commencing work without a clear understanding of whos paying leaves you on a sticky wicket TBH.

 

[Guest55]

and i defo agree with Marvo , bill for the top whack with call out fees and no discounts , you just know its gonna be a chore getting paid so its pointless doing it cheap and he never asked for an estimate so skys the limit lol.
xmas goodwill can kiss my arse ;-)

 

[vjsmarwick]

i have to agree with all these lads thank god its not me with the problem and having to pay them lol go out fighting and fighting hard